Special Events: Countdown to the Wedding

Our first meeting place, as you could have guessed, a coffee
shop! The local House of Coffees in Hartbeespoort. This quickly became
our regular hangout and still is today.

9th of June 2007

After almost a month I finally convinced her to go out
on a dinner date with me. It was a lovely evening, with the exception
that the waiter did not know the difference between sherry and a cherry.

16th of June 2007

Then came the day that I finally met Caitlin
(Apparently she practiced my name the whole way from Harties to Fourways).
After movies and lunch, I new that if I want to steal the mom's heart
I'll have to charm the daughter.

16th of June 2007

After the first kiss and and a concert (Louise Carver),
it was time for our first weekend away. I packed the whole lot up and
off we went to Thabana Lodge.

We had a wonderful weekend and came back
without driving each other up the walls.

Things were looking positive, and there was a chance that this might
actually last.

14th of
September 2007

Getting bolder by the moment, I decided to take Jenny
on her first overseas trip, and no this was not to Robben Island. We
went to visit some very good friends of mine in Slovakia and swung
through Austria while we were there. The only thing that I did not take
into account, was Jenny trying to conquer Europe while we were
there. "Now where do I light this thing again!?"

What a magnificent trip
and we thoroughly enjoyed it and spending time together. By this time it
was clear to both of us that we are meant to be together.

20th of
December 2007

Then it was finally time to meet the parents! That is
now my parents.

We both wondered how the meeting between the
English Rose and my Afrikaans parents will go down, but in the end
Caitlin sorted it all out for both of us, by stealing my parents hearts.

19th of July 2008

Then the day finally came. We went for a romantic
cruise on a catamaran through the Knysna Heads. This turned into a mad
dash to try and catch some whales. Unfortunately no whales, which would
have made it really perfect, but I finally decided to pop the question.

I was a bit surprised by the first answer "Are you sure!?', but I
persisted and she said "YES!"

27th of July 2008

Having asked the question did not however end things. I
still had to ask her parents and we had to keep the engagement a secret
until I had the opportunity. Now you all know that asking a women to
keep a secret is like expecting flowers not to bloom in the spring time.

After an excruciating week for Jenny, Jenny's Dad was away on a trip, I
finally got the opportunity to ask her dad, very hurriedly, and he gave
his blessing.

Off we went in search of an engagement ring and after weighing up the
pros and cons of ring versus honeymoon, Jenny finally made her choice.

31st of January 2009

Now started all the various activities which precedes a
wedding of which the most important was deciding on the actual date.
After lots of debate we finally settled on the 4th of
April 2009. This was to prove the right choice for a multitude of
reasons.

The next obstacle was deciding on the venue for the wedding
reception, but this was quickly narrowed down to Stef's Table in Harties.

Finally we could get the invitations out!

14th of
February 2009

Instead of having the standard kitchen tea, Jenny
decided to invite all her girlfriends for a Belly Dancing Workshop. In a
spurt of creativity she wrote the poem we used for the invitation. With
a little bit of creative input from my side we quickly put together an
invitation to this special event.

4th of April 2009

The BIG day!!

I was absolutely speechless when I saw my gorgeous bride! So much so
that I got the vows wrong the first time round!
(Photo by Kallie Engelbrecht)